No charges filed in teen's stabbing death: 'defense of others'

SAN DIEGO – The District Attorney's Office has decided not to file charges in the stabbing death last weekend of a teenager in National City.

Prosecutors said a review of the case this week showed that Danny Aparicio, 25, was trying to defend his mother and her boyfriend during an apparent gang attack, and in the struggle he stabbed one of the assailants, Esteban Pabloff, 17.

“Based on the facts, it was apparent that he has a very viable 'defense of others' claim,” Deputy District Attorney Gregg McClain said Thursday.

According to investigators, the couple was walking their dog on 21st Street near Highland Avenue about 2 a.m. Saturday when a group of males confronted the boyfriend with gang slogans. The group then began beating him, said National City police Lt. Craig Boegler.

Aparicio, who was in a nearby apartment, heard the couple's cries for help and came to their aid.

Pabloff was stabbed in the neck; the others ran away. Pabloff died at UCSD Medical Center.

Detectives later arrested Aparicio in connection with the slaying; he has since been released from jail.

The attack on the couple is still under investigation, Boegler said.

A member of Aparicio's family said Thursday that they were instructed by police not to speak publicly about the case.